A Study On The Self-presentation Of The New Generation Of Migrant Workers In Short Video

The booming of short videos provides a stage for the new generation of migrant workers to present themselves,and studying the self-presentation of this group is conducive to understanding the lives and needs of the people at the bottom,and also helps to understand the role changes brought by the empowerment of new media to the new generation of migrant workers.Combined with Goffman’s mimicry theory,this paper explores the self-presentation of the new generation of migrant workers on Douyin and Kuaishou short video platforms through online participatory observation and in-depth interviews.In the first chapter,this paper expounds the definition and characteristics of the new generation of migrant workers and short videos,and sorts out the relevant theories of selfpresentation to lay the academic foundation for the article.In the second chapter,the perspective of symbolic interaction theory is used to explore the "foreground" presentation of the new generation of migrant workers in short videos,that is,how the new generation of migrant workers use various symbols to perform in short videos,and summarizes the four typical images of active entrepreneurs,experts in specific fields,versatile young people,and pillars of hard work constructed by this group in short videos.The third chapter explores the "backstage" presentation of the new generation of migrant workers,but the "backstage" is a more private area of the individual,and it is difficult to truly understand it through observation alone.Therefore,this paper invites participants of participatory observation to conduct in-depth interviews,and combines the two research methods to explore their presentation motivation from the perspectives of personal factors,media factors,social factors,and economic factors.The study also found that the three self-presentation strategies that the new generation of migrant workers are best at using are self-mockery and seeking help,highlighting vocational skills and talents,and keeping up with fan needs and platform policies.The self-presentation of the new generation of migrant workers in short videos can help achieve self-efficacy,weaken the sense of relative deprivation,present a more vivid and vivid group image,and strengthen identity in short video practice.Finally,this paper summarizes the problems of the new generation of migrant workers in the self-presentation of short videos and puts forward constructive optimization suggestions.It is worth noting that this group seems to have successful conversations with society through short videos,but it is labeled as earthy and ugly,and it is difficult to escape the fate of digital labor on short video platforms.